News Briefs

September 2, 2019

✦ Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and the practice Minnesota Oncology unveiled a five-year program in which both organizations will be “jointly accountable for the overall cost of cancer care provided to Blue Cross members through a value-based risk arrangement.” As part of the arrangement, Minnesota Oncology will no longer have to secure prior authorization from the Blues plan for coverage of certain services that are typically associated with high rates of overutilization. In return, the practice “will be responsible for ensuring continued alignment with evidence-based best practices.”

To access this post, you must purchase a subscription plan. Click Here to purchase.

✦ Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and the practice Minnesota Oncology unveiled a five-year program in which both organizations will be “jointly accountable for the overall cost of cancer care provided to Blue Cross members through a value-based risk arrangement.” As part of the arrangement, Minnesota Oncology will no longer have to secure prior authorization from the Blues plan for coverage of certain services that are typically associated with high rates of overutilization. In return, the practice “will be responsible for ensuring continued alignment with evidence-based best practices.”

To access this post, you must purchase a subscription plan. Click Here to purchase.

As they finalize coverage for 2020, Blues plans say, small group employers are demanding a growing array of plan options ranging from gold metal level plans to high-deductible products. At the same time, small employers are asking for better control over drug costs, particularly specialty pharmacy costs.

In response, Blues insurers are rolling out new products aimed at the small group market and are adding benefits, including telehealth and new tools that help members estimate and track out-of-pocket costs.

To access this post, you must purchase a subscription plan. Click Here to purchase.

As they finalize coverage for 2020, Blues plans say, small group employers are demanding a growing array of plan options ranging from gold metal level plans to high-deductible products. At the same time, small employers are asking for better control over drug costs, particularly specialty pharmacy costs.
In response, Blues insurers are rolling out new products aimed at the small group market and are adding benefits, including telehealth and new tools that help members estimate and track out-of-pocket costs.

To access this post, you must purchase a subscription plan. Click Here to purchase.

Members-Only Primary Care Centers Are Seen as Way to Improve Access

September 2, 2019

Two Blues plans are partnering with provider groups and companies to open exclusive members-only primary care practices in an effort to offer higher-quality care to members while bringing primary care to underserved areas, potentially steering members away from specialists and emergency services to lower-cost care options.

To access this post, you must purchase a subscription plan. Click Here to purchase.

Two Blues plans are partnering with provider groups and companies to open exclusive members-only primary care practices in an effort to offer higher-quality care to members while bringing primary care to underserved areas, potentially steering members away from specialists and emergency services to lower-cost care options.

To access this post, you must purchase a subscription plan. Click Here to purchase.

Blues Plans in the Small Group Commercial Insurance Market, at a Glance

September 2, 2019

by Carina Belles Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans enroll more than half (54.7%) of the small group commercial insurance market, with 6.8 million members as of the latest update to AIS’s Directory of Health Plans. Compared to last year, Blues affiliates saw a 15.0% increase in small group membership, and all 43 tracked Blues […]

To access this post, you must purchase a subscription plan. Click Here to purchase.

by Carina Belles Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans enroll more than half (54.7%) of the small group commercial insurance market, with 6.8 million members as of the latest update to AIS’s Directory of Health Plans. Compared to last year, Blues affiliates saw a 15.0% increase in small group membership, and all 43 tracked Blues […]

To access this post, you must purchase a subscription plan. Click Here to purchase.